I want to share some personal news directly with you. After thoughtful consideration, I will be stepping down from my role as Executive Director of CSGA effective at the end of March 2026, as I prepare for an international relocation with my family later this year.
This was not an easy decision. CSGA has been my professional home for 15 years and a central part of my life. It has been a privilege to serve this community and to work alongside seed growers, plant breeders, Board and Branch leaders, federal partners, and everyone across the seed value chain who believes, as I do, in the power of certified seed to strengthen Canadian agriculture.
Over the past several years, we have worked together to modernize the seed certification system, strengthen CSGA’s governance and operational foundations, and build a more transparent, digital, grower-focused model that will serve Canada for decades to come. Our work through Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) has brought us closer to a vision of a more efficient, collaborative, and innovative national seed system. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and even more excited about what comes next.
And I want to be clear about this: CSGA is ready for its next chapter.
The Association is supported by an experienced management team, strong internal systems, and a Board of Directors actively overseeing continuity and succession planning. Our national branch network continues to keep us closely connected to growers and the broader seed sector. Day-to-day operations, programs, and service delivery continue without interruption, and all strategic priorities, including SRM, remain firmly on track.
I will continue to serve as Executive Director throughout the transition period, working closely with the Board and management team to ensure stability and momentum. The Board has launched a recruitment process, with ample time to support a thoughtful and seamless leadership transition.
Most importantly, I want to thank each of you—for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in this organization’s mission. CSGA’s strength has always come from the people behind it. I have been fortunate to work alongside an exceptional team, a dedicated Board, and a grower community that cares deeply about standards, transparency, and the future of seed in Canada.
We will keep you informed as the transition progresses over the coming months. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out if you have questions or simply want to connect.
With appreciation,
Doug
Read the full Press Release here
